The use of traditional and alternative antifreeze salts on herbaceous and shrub species for urban decoration: experimental results

In urban green areas, the use of plants along street infrastructures requires a deep knowledge of the peculiar features of the urban environment. Many problems can compromise the vitality and the aesthetic value of plants. Therefore a deep analysis of the causes of stress or damage that could affect the plants and the establishment of minimal conditions for their correct growth are needed. In this study, it appeared necessary to study the problem of salinity, linked to the spread of antifreeze salts, that are employed to prevent the icing of streets in winter. Antifreeze salts, among which the most efficient and cheap one is sodium chloride, damage the plants on street sides, in guardrail beds, in parkings and bus-stops. But this situation may be solved both through a correct distribution of the salt, thanks to the more advanced technology of salt spreading machines and to the care of adequately trained workers, and through the use of plant species salt tolerant. The response to high salt concentrations in the soil of some shrub species among the mostly used in green areas was evaluated.